TC Central to induct new Hall of Fame members

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Local author Doug Stanton.
Chief Master Sgt. Rose White Hutchinson
"Parm" Gilbert

May 28, 2012

TC Central to induct new Hall of Fame members

from staff reports ---- The Record Eagle Mon May 28, 2012, 12:57 PM EDT

Traverse City Central High School has announced three new members of the school's Hall of Fame.

The class of 2012 includes Doug Stanton, Rose White Hutchinson and Parmius "Parm" Gilbert. A Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, June 1 in the high school cafeteria; an ice cream social precedes at 6 p.m.

The Traverse City Central High School Hall of Fame recognizes student and staff members who have made an exceptional contribution to society, achieved notable success and have demonstrated outstanding integrity, as well as excellence and longevity in their field.

Since the Hall of Fame was created in 2004, a total of 38 Traverse City Central alumni and staff have been selected. Among those already inducted are Gov. William Milliken, Dr. Tom Hall, Dr. Terrie Taylor, professional basketball players Dan Majerle and Tom Kozelko, women's college basketball coach Suzy Merchant, professional football player Mark Brammer, choral music director Mel Larimer, United States Air Force Lt. Col. (ret.) Harold Johnson, sports writer Ken Bell, volunteer Mel Gee and high school coaches Jim Ooley, Jim Anderson, Bob Lober and John Lober.

Doug Stanton

Doug Stanton gained fame as author of the New York Times best-selling book "In Harm's Way" in 1999. Prior to his book, Stanton chronicled travel adventures and celebrity interviews as contributing editor of Esquire magazine.

Stanton attended Traverse City Area Public Schools before transferring from Central High School to the Interlochen Arts Academy midway through his junior year to focus on writing. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and writing from Hampshire College in Amherst, Mass.

Stanton later studied poetry and fiction through the Writers' Workshop at the University of Iowa. He also taught college undergraduate composition and graduate writing workshop. After meeting his future wife, Anne, he moved back to Traverse City and became a full-time writer.

Following the release of "In Harm's Way," Stanton scored again in 2009 with "Horse Soldiers." The book describes events in Afghanistan following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. "Horse Soldiers" became a New York Times best-seller, and is being adapted for film by Jerry Bruckheimer.

Stanton, along with Anne Stanton and Grant Parsons, is co-founder of the popular National Writers Series. He lives in Traverse City with his wife and their three children, John, Katie and Will.

Stanton will address the Traverse City Central Class of 2012 at graduation ceremonies Sunday, June 3, at the Interlochen Arts Academy.

Rose White Hutchinson

Rose White Hutchinson, a 1961 graduate of Central High School, served in the United States Air Force from 1964-1991. In 1976 she was the first female steward to fly the presidential jet, Air Force One.

During her career she was awarded the rank of chief master sergeant, and at the time was one of only 12 women with that title — and the only one on flying status. Logging 6,000 hours, Hutchinson flew Presidents Carter, Reagan and Bush, the Olympic flame from Athens, members of the United States Olympic hockey and skating teams and numerous dignitaries. Over the course of 11 years, she served at the Pentagon for five secretaries of the Air Force.

Hutchinson received two outstanding unit awards, two armed forces expeditionary medals and countless other honors before retiring in 1991 after 27 years of service. She has volunteered locally for the American Red Cross, Munson Medical Center, National Cherry Festival, Child and Family Services and the Women's Resource Center. She was also one of the pioneers behind the project to preserve Building 50, which is now The Village at Grand Traverse Commons.

Hutchinson, daughter of Bob and Carrie White, was a four-year member of the Central High Pep Club, wrote for "The Pines" yearbook and Black and Gold student newspaper. She also was a member of the school downhill ski team. She attended Northwestern Michigan College from 1961-64.

Parmius "Parm" Gilbert

Parmius "Parm" Gilbert graduated from the newly-established Traverse City High School nearly 125 years ago. He was nominated for Hall of Fame membership by a special "Legends" committee designed to recognize deserving graduates who are deceased and may have no other advocate.

Gilbert, an 1889 graduate, put his stamp on the Grand Traverse region — and the state of Michigan — first as a respected lawyer and later a judge. After earning a law degree from the University of Michigan, he returned to Traverse City and worked in municipal and criminal law.

Gilbert wrote the corporate charter enabling Traverse City to become a city in 1895. He served as the first City Attorney, under founding father Perry Hannah, until 1900. He later served several terms as Grand Traverse County Prosecuting Attorney.

Gilbert was elected Circuit Judge of the 13th Judicial District in 1929 and served in that role until 1948. He spearheaded the creation of prison camps for first-time offenders, rather than walled prisons, and his ideas were later adopted by the Michigan penal system.

Outside the courtroom, Gilbert initiated educational and recreational programs for youth, and in 1941 donated land for Twin Lakes Park, south of Traverse City. The lodge on the property bears his name. He also donated land for Gilbert Park, located on Long Lake.